Chapter 19: Into the pensieve

Harry was standing outside the gates of Hogwarts waiting for Kingsley and the Wizenagmot to arrive. He was meeting them today to venture once again into Snape's memories in the hope that they would be able to clear his name. As he stood there, he became more and more anxious. He wasn't looking forward to today. Not because he was having second thoughts about what he was trying to accomplish, he just had no desire to view the memories again. He looked up at the sound of crunching gravel and saw three figures approaching him from up the lane.

"Ah, Harry, you're here," said Kingsley, extending his hand. "I hope you haven't been waiting long."

"No, not too long," said Harry, shaking his hand and nodding to the two Wizenagmot members in way of greeting.

"Shall we?" asked Kingsley. He tapped the gate with his wand causing them to swing open. Harry looked up at him questioningly. He was under the impression the gates would only open for a Hogwarts Professor. "Being Minister has its perks," said Kingsley, answering Harry's unasked question and giving him a wink.

Harry grinned and together the four of them made their way toward the vast entrance hall of Hogwarts where they were greeted by Professor McGonagall.

"Minerva," said Kingsley. "So good to see you."

"And you as well," said McGonagall. "Everything's ready in my office."

They followed her through the silent castle up to her office. Upon entering, Harry's eyes automatically flickered to the pensieve sitting on the desk.

"OK, Harry," said Kingsley. "How do you want to do this?"

Harry pulled his gaze away from the pensieve and turned to face Kingsley and the Wizenagmot members. "I was thinking we could all enter the pensieve and I'll just answer any questions you have about what you see," he said. The other three nodded in agreement. "I'm only going to show you the memories that are relevant to the case," he continued as he moved over to the desk and swirled the contents of the pensieve with his wand.

"If you're ready," he said. One by one, the four of them entered the pensieve. Harry decided to first show them the memory of the first time Snape had talked to his mother and told her she was a witch. He squinted in the bright sunlight from the nearly deserted playground as he watched Lily and Petunia on the swing set. He turned and found Snape hunched behind the bushes.

"This is when he met my mother," said Harry to the Wizenagmot members. They nodded and the four of them turned to watch the scene before them until it dissolved. Harry next chose to show them the memory of Snape calling Lily Mudblood and then later waiting outside Gryffindor Tower.

The scene dissolved once more and they were standing on a windy hilltop with Dumbledore and Snape who was begging him to keep Lily safe. A moment later they were in Dumbledore's office after Harry's parents were murdered. Harry could barely stand to watch his former potions master as he shook from grief and vowed to keep Harry safe.

The next memory was perhaps the most important. Dumbledore slumped in his chair while Snape muttered incantations as he pointed his wand at Dumbledore's hand and Dumbledore making Snape promise to kill him instead of Draco. Harry glanced over at the Wizenagmot members who were looking at each other in disbelief. Harry pulled the other three out of the pensieve. He chose not to show any memories about the Horcurxes. No one but he, Ron, Hermione and Ginny knew what extent Voldemort went to in order to make himself immortal.

When they landed back in McGonagall's office, Harry turned to the other three. "I hope this has helped clear some things up," he said. "As you can tell, Snape did not murder Dumbledore in cold blood, he asked him to do it. He was dying anyway from the curse in his hand."

"Is this true, Albus?" asked one of the Wizenagmot members to Dumbledore's portrait. Harry spun around. He had almost forgot about the portrait.

"It is," said Dumbledore simply.

The Wizenagmot member turned to Kingsley. "We shall take this information back to the rest of the council," he said. Kingsley nodded.

"I'll accompany you back to the Ministry," said Kingsley. "Harry, you can have the rest of the day off. I'll speak to you on Monday," he added, turning to face Harry.

"Thank you, sir," he said.

"I'll walk you to the gates," said McGonagall, standing up and joining the other three as the exited the office. When the door closed behind him, Harry slumped into the familiar hardback chair.

"This is very noble of you, Harry," said Dumbledore.

Harry turned to face his former Headmaster. "I just couldn't let his name be smeared," he said.

"And I'm sure Severus would appreciate it," said Dumbledore.

"Are you?" asked Harry skeptically. "I just think he'd be ticked that I've just shown them his memories."

Dumbledore chuckled, his blue eyes twinkling behind the half moon spectacles. "I suppose there might be some truth in that statement," he said.

"I haven't told anyone about the Horcurxes," said Harry. "Or the Hallows," he added.

"Ah," said Dumbledore. "A wise decision. I would never expect anything less from you Harry. Now go. I'm sure you have much better things to do with your time off then to sit and converse with a portrait of an old man."

Harry laughed. "Well actually, Ginny's coming home today," he said.

"Well then go, Harry. You do not want to leave love waiting," said Dumbledore.

"How did you . . .?"

"I may be dead, Harry. But I'm not a fool," said Dumbledore with a kind smile. Harry laughed.

"Thank you, sir. For everything," said Harry.

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Harry left Hogwarts and apparated directly into his flat. When he arrived he saw a blur of red as Ginny flung herself in his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck. Harry pulled her in a tight hug and lifted her off the floor, spinning her around.

"Ginny! I wasn't expecting you til later," he said, sitting her back down.

"I know. Practice was short this morning so I thought I'd surprise you!" she said.

"I've missed you," said Harry. He moved over to the sofa, pulling her onto his lap. "How's practice going?" he asked.

"I don't want to talk about that just yet," she said, placing her lips on his. "I've got a better idea." She pushed him down so he lay on his back on the sofa and straddled him, pulling her shirt over her head.

Harry's eyebrows shot up. "I think I like your idea."

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"Harry, wake up," said Ginny, shaking him. "We've got to get to the Burrow for dinner."

"Hmmm"

"Burrow. Dinner," said Ginny.

Harry slowly sat up and rubbed his eyes. He patted the side table until he found his glasses and put them on. "What time is it?" he asked.

"Time to go" huffed Ginny. "Now get up."

"I'm up, I'm up," said Harry sleepily. "Let me just go get changed."

Ginny blew out an exasperated breath as she watched Harry disappear down the hall. She flopped down on the sofa and crossed her arms over her chest. Harry emerged from the bedroom a moment later pulling a clean t-shirt over his head.

"Ready?" asked Ginny.

"Yea," he said as he attempted to flatten his hair.

"You're fighting a losing battle," said Ginny smiling at him and standing from the sofa. Harry grinned. "Are we going to floo?" he asked.

"Yeah. I'm too exhausted to even try to apparate," said Ginny.

"Me too. Lady's first," said Harry. He walked over and gave her a quick kiss before holding out the pot of floo powder to her. Ginny scooped up a handful and threw it into the fireplace before stepping in and disappearing in a whirl of green flames with Harry following close behind.

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A/N: You know what to do . . . REVIEW!!!!! :)